The history of high power fencing shows how this New Zealand idea contributed extensively to the profitability of pastoral farming by improving animal control, pasture utilisation and weed control. The development of electrified fencing is traced wth examples of incidents, starting in America in the thirties where it has improved only slightly, while in New Zealand development started in 1936 to become a world leader thanks to the Phillips (Ruakura) low impedance fence. Examples of its benefits are described by quoting farm profitability competition winners. Power fencing continues to become more sophisticated with items like voltage alarms, shock stops and tumblewheels. Keywords: power fencing, pasture improvement, weed control.
